Lakers Rumors: Ex-Raptors Assistant Coach Phil Handy Hired by LA
Toronto Raptors assistant coach Phil Handy will be joining the Los Angeles Lakers' bench, according to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.
Handy, 47, was an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers for portions of their run to four straight Eastern Conference titles from 2015-18 before he joined Nick Nurse's staff on the NBA champion Toronto Raptors this past season.
The assistant coach worked with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during their mutual time in Cleveland.
Spears wrote a profile of Hardy during the 2016 NBA Finals, in which the Cavs overcame deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 to beat the Golden State Warriors in seven games. Of note, Hardy is credited with lighting a fire under the team after Cleveland fell behind 2-0.
"The speech he gave after Game 2 really hit home for all of us," ex-Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving said following a practice. "It was a man-to-man speech that needed to be said, that we all understood in order to, kind of, will ourselves to understand that we still have a chance in this series. Golden State took care of home court. But that speech really hit home for all of us."
Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue also provided praise: "What he said was right on and the guys accepted that."
The praise for Handy in recent history can't be overstated.
The Undefeated previously said he "has developed a reputation as one of the best skill development coaches in the NBA."
Ex-NBA center Kendrick Perkins also gave credit to Handy for his work on the Raptors.
Washington Wizards point guard Isaiah Thomas provided a shoutout too.
It isn't much of a coincidence that Handy's one year in Toronto coincided with 25-year-old forward Pascal Siakam's rise to become the NBA's Most Improved Player award winner. His 16.9 points and 6.9 rebounds helped the Raps land their first title.
The question is whether Handy can work similar magic with the Lakers' younger players, such as Kyle Kuzmas, Quinn Cook and second-round pick Talen Horton-Tucker. If so, then the Lakers' acquisition of Handy may be one of the franchise's most important moves during an offseason where they completely overhauled their roster and coaching staff.
Per ESPN's Ben Fawkes, Caesars Palace lists the Lakers as the Western Conference favorites with +180 odds ($100 bet to win $180).
